TEACHER JAILED FOR SEXUAL COMMUNICATION WITH STUDENT
A teacher has been banned from the classroom after she was convicted of engaging in sexual communication with a child.Louise Greaves was arrested after the mother of a male pupil saw emails she had sent to him and alerted the authorities.
The 43-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence on July 13 last year, claiming she did so to avoid a prison sentence.
Greaves worked at Springwell Community College in Derbyshire from April 2016 until August 2023.
The emails were sent between November 30 2022 and December 12 2022.
The panel noted the following statement in Greaves’ written statement regarding her guilt: "I was going to defend myself and hopefully be not guilty; however, on arrival at trial, my barrister spoke to the judge, who said he would convict me if I went to trial so it would be better if I pleaded guilty to receive a non-custodial sentence.
"I had no choice, I didn’t want to risk this and therefore took the ‘deal’ which I didn’t want to as I am not what they are labelling me as." She said, "I’m a good person who would never go out to intentionally hurt anyone.
I simply made a mistake.
"With regards to the allegations, there was no complainant, as you are aware, his mum found the e-mails and that’s how it started." The former teacher also said: "I did apologise after and tell the student that I was sorry and that it was inappropriate and we moved on.
I had no intentions towards him; I just wanted him to do well.
“ I understand I was wrong in giving the student my personal email address I was trying to send him extra work to push him, which he did, he was always looking for extra work, but things just spiralled and we chatted more than we should have as friends, which I know is another boundary I have crossed.
"I just thought it was harmless and obviously that I’d never find myself in such a stupid situation." She said: "I deeply regret what I have done, and if I could turn back the clock, I would.
I made a massive, silly mistake”.
Panel decision maker, Sarah Buxcey, said: "Mrs Louise Greaves is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England." "Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against her, I have decided that Mrs Greaves shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach.
"This order takes effect from the date on which it is served on the teacher.
Mrs Greaves has a right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days from the date she is given notice of this order."
